Best products for dry sensitive skin?

EagerLearner

Hi all,

I have quite dry skin and it's slightly sensitive too, with occasional reddish areas. I have bought many products over the years and now *think* I have found the perfect one - Clarins gentle face wash and gentle day cream moisturiser.

However. They are quite pricey, even buying them on e-bay!

On E-bay, I then found this lady who is an aromatherapist, seems to have great feedback and makes lots of natural organic products for every skin condition.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pure-Organic-Sensitive-Skin-Floral-Cleansing-Milk_W0QQitemZ190021970877QQihZ009QQcategoryZ1279QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

My question is - do you think that spending less money can get me the same results as the Clarins products? They have been making products for years and have so much expertise... Plus they use really expensive ingredients. But I know I fall for marketing too!

I just don't want to throw more money at a cheaper product if it won't work...

What it everyone's experience of trying to find the best products for dry/sensitive skin?

suki1964

Liz Earle

There is a lot to be said with aromatherapy, I use oils and plant extracts on my skin. Not only Liz Earle but Decleor and Elemis (well expensive).

One thing I would be concerned with by buying from someone of ebay who's making their own products - Are they licensed and Insured?

leoetal19

my daughter uses the aveeno range-you can get it from boots-we were first introduced to it by the gp who prescribed it for her very dry sensitive skin-its wonderful and very reasonably priced too!!
hth

EagerLearner

Hi there - I have used the Liz Earle hot cleanse and polish on my skin but my skin did not feel as good as the Clarins wash does... weird!

Plus I bought my own muslin sheets off ebay, cut each sheet into 4, and saved loads on the cloths ever since - MSE style! I still have a gazillion sheets left and yet to cut them up... all for about £5!

I don't know if the aromatherapist on ebay is insured but she is a qualified aromatherapist and has been on e-bay for years, seems to have no negative feedback?

I like the idea of natural products and aromatherapy, but not too expensive (which Clarins is) and she isn't expensive...

In terms of Aveno I tried them once as a sample, not too sure - what kind of products does your daughter use leoetal19?

I wonder if anyone can tell me - I still have some macademia nut oil and also jojoba oil at home from a massive purchase on e-bay last year but didn't really used them that much. Can I use either as a face oil for say a Sunday treat?

DebbieMids72

I've got dry skin too, and nothing ever seems to work. My girls don't even like to hold my hands because they're so dry

I will try your recommendations, thanks for all the info.

I've got dry hands, dry face, and dry hair. I feel like an old lady (about 80, not 35). I never had this skin allergy problem before I had kids. I used to have perfect skin and nails. But then I had 2 girls, and since then I'm constantly washing my hands and scrubbing them. My skin is now ruined.

EagerLearner

Hi Debbie,

Have you tried this for your hands - once a week I just make a mix of olive oil and a little salt. Rub gently over hands then leave to soak in. Rinse after 5 minutes, then perhaps a light moisturiser if you still feel you need it. My hands feel wonderful and it didn't cost a penny. Be careful though not to rub too much as salt is a crystal like sugar, which may tear the skin if rubbed too hard on sensitive skin like ours.

Plus I find on Sundays I also do a treat mini-spa with gentle exfoliator for sensitive skin, then moisturiser and to finish off a few drops of jojoba oil massaged gently into my face.

Apparently yoghurt and honey are also meant to be great natural face masks (either together or separately), but I find it all too messy - could be worth a go though! Mashed avocado is another one that is said to be good, but personally I would rather eat it than waste on my face!

If you do this for the outside, then for the inside each some lovely good oily fish like Mackrel or salmon, avocadoes, sunflower seeds, some macadamia nuts, drink plenty of water, that will combat the dryness from both sides?

Do post any thoughts on here as we can all learn!

I particularly want to find out how to reduce red patches...

suki1964

EagerLearner wrote: »

I particularly want to find out how to reduce red patches...

You do need to know what is causing the red patches before you can start treating them. There has been a few people posting these past few days who have been treating "dry" skin, only to discover they actually have a fungal infection and having to change "treatments"

GFN123

Hi EagerLearner

I have similar skin to yours, but possibly even more problematic by the sounds of it! I also used to use Clarins, but now I will only use totally natural skin care as anything else just causes flare ups & more issues. I have probably tried nearly everything there is to try!!

I've bought quite a few products from the shop you have linked to, the lady who runs it is excellent and I would highly recommend emailing her for tailored advice. The only thing I found was none of her creams were rich enough for me. I have to play carefully, as creams that are too rich give me spots & flare ups, not rich enough & I get terrible dry patches :rolleyes:

I more recently went via a shop on ebay called Nature's Recipe who sell a goat's milk based moisturiser (Goat's Milk Plus) which is said to be good for eczema and I have been using it now for 2 months without problems. The sellers were really helpful & let me purchase a small trial size before I committed to a bigger pot :T

I have also just bought 2 sample sizes from a different shop (yeah, always searching!!) also all natural & organic which I want to try.

You're welcome to pm me & I can swap notes with you on different things & go into more detail about what worked & what didn't if you like

jeannieblue

suki1964 wrote: »

You do need to know what is causing the red patches before you can start treating them. There has been a few people posting these past few days who have been treating "dry" skin, only to discover they actually have a fungal infection and having to change "treatments"

Talking about me again Suki??!!

I look like a giant mushroom...... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Still think Allantoin could be the key in all of this - ie comfrey root.... to be a barrier - then may be we wouldn't need the cures?

The above posts are very informative - more stuff to buy! Not very MSE but one has to try!

I'm having mackerel for dinner tonight... don't know what I'm cooking for him yet :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

chuckley

oilatum. can be by prescription or bought in superdrug or boots (expensive in boots).

jeannieblue

chuckley wrote: »

oilatum. can be by prescription or bought in superdrug or boots (expensive in boots).

Thanks - that is also recommended on the Allantoin thread - meant to get some when went out earlier...